TW: rape, pedophilia, blackmailing into sex work, infidelity, drugs and hard drug addiction, physical abuse, gambling, blood, miscarriage, abortion, death, cancer

The moment I found this at a book sale I was intrigued. At home I read it in one go. It is deep and harsh, yet hopeful and healing. A personal story of strength even when one is weak.

TW: Abuse, injury, neglect, misogyny

A healing story about recovery from abuse and starting over and finding yourself.

TW: animal abandonment

As a fan of middle grade horror anthologies, this one was certainly fun. Some stories outshined others, and some were fairly predictable, but honestly a fun Halloween for young readers.

TW: infidelity, past death of a parent, mentions of transphobia, racism, misogyny

Scoring this a one star breaks my heart but... this was... kinda a huge mess.

I LOVED The Black Flamingo, would sell my kidney for it, but this utterly flabbergasting cast of characters and their actions left my heart in dispair. The characters were all unlikeable, and sweet side-character Maz, the only one faultless, is left heartbroken and used at the end.

Our protagonist, Mack, was messy, which is fine, but so much so he is actually selfish, impatient, and expecting people to act out his fantasies of them, claims he loves them but doesn't actually like *them*. He gets his knickers in a twist at the idea of K cheating WHILE HE IS CHEATING. Then the label polyamorous is tossed around, furthering the stereotype of poly folks as unfaithful cheaters.

K was in the closet and, very understandably, taking his own time, which is utterly fair enough. However even in private, and ESPECIALLY over text he was colder to Mack than a frozen can of spaghettios. He never communicated his needs or expectations, and in a way used Mack.

Fin was the only likable one UNTIL he, after figuring out Mack was in a relationship, kept flirting with and pursuing Mack- even having the audacity to act out when K finally shows up.

*SPOILERS*
Summery of the ending:
K calls Mack out for cheating and Mack goes "no please, take me back, I'll never see Fin EVER in my life again!"
K: "no, i need space"
Mack" OK, I'll litterally watch you exit the room, Fin will walk in and I'll start making out with him"
The end

I'm sorry. I think I hate this book. My heart is broken.

TW: murder, death, colonisation

Really great if you are new to the sci-fi genre. Great political intrigue and I personally loved the murder mystery aspect, along with thr commentary of colonisation.

TW: death, gore, blood, dismemberment, detailed necropsy, fade to black sex, ableism

Fun if you like your creepy to be as realistic as possible while still embracing 'bloodthirsty cryptid' horror. Autistic and Deaf and queer protagonists made this story. Dare go for a swim?

TW: death, vomiting, sex (fade to black), colonisation, necropsy

This cover! A great sequel following familiar and new characters navigating themes of identity, politics, morality and diplomacy. I felt it could have been trimmed a bit more, but still a great series.

TW: racism, Japanese cultural appropriation by American classmates, sex (off page)

A story of finding identity and purpose, relationship ups and downs and the pain of needing to belong.

TW: transphobia, gender erasure, genocide, abuse, mentions of TERF idiology, racism, medical abuse of intersex people

Great points - especially in the area where we trans folk appropriate and talk over our intersex siblings and two-spirit(ed) people.

TW: anxiety, OCD, internalised ableism, use of G-slur in reference to a moth named after it, bullying

Amazing art, very nostalgic feeling. Great story with lots of fun mini-plots wrapping up into a good conclusion about mental health with anxiety and OCD. The focus on a dnd like game was also fun!